# NTSB investigations: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 4 of 18 · 856 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB WPR22LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA030.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Newdale, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 28, 2021 · N1671J · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to monitor the flight to ensure terrain clearance during the dark night conditions.
- [NTSB GAA22WA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA22WA177.md): Piper PA34 · Königswinter, Germany · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Oct 11, 2021 · D-GLMP · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ERA22LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA007.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Batavia, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 7, 2021 · N505TJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to disengage the autopilot prior to climbing out of a fog bank.
- [NTSB ERA22LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA006.md): Cessna 172K · Williston, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 6, 2021 · N78604 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain on approach which resulted in controlled flight into trees. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the approach path, the dark night conditions and the landing…
- [NTSB ERA22FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA001.md): Beech S35 · Andrews, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 3, 2021 · N876T · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to fly toward rapidly rising, obscured mountainous terrain after departing under visual flight rules at night.
- [NTSB GAA21WA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA249.md): Cessna F172 · Dala-Floda, Sweden · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Sep 29, 2021 · SE-IFD · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ENG21WA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG21WA041.md): Let L410 · Kazachinskoye, Russia · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Sep 12, 2021 · RA-67042 · Destroyed
- [NTSB ANC21FA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21FA069.md): Dehavilland DHC-2 MK.I · Ketchikan, AK · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Aug 5, 2021 · N1249K · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules (VFR) flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the FAA’s reliance on voluntary compliance with the Ketchikan…
- [NTSB ANC21FA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21FA065.md): Cessna 172P · Eagle River, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 26, 2021 · N65698 · Substantial damage
  > An inflight collision with terrain under unknown circumstances. Contributing to the delayed rescue response was the failure of the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) to activate as designed, and the mechanic’s failure to ensure the correct ELT was installed…
- [NTSB GAA21WA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA177.md): Mooney M20 · Gothard, Switzerland · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Jul 18, 2021 · D-EMPE · Destroyed
- [NTSB CEN21FA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA305.md): Hawker Beechcraft G36 · Aspen, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 4, 2021 · N36JJ · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to navigate through mountainous terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB GAA21WA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA163.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Leogane, Haiti · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Jul 2, 2021 · N8694N · Destroyed
- [NTSB ERA21LA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA270.md): Robinson Helicopter R66 · Waxhaw, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 27, 2021 · N7078V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during a low-level aerial application flight.
- [NTSB WPR21FA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA231.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Rush Valley, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 18, 2021 · N6323R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s misidentification of a mountain pass at night, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s overconfidence based on her previous aviation experience and fatigue due to both the time of the flight…
- [NTSB ERA21LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA266.md): Pilatus B4-PC11 · Sterling, MA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 20, 2021 · N65317 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s misjudged approach angle which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB CEN21FA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA220.md): Cessna 182 · St. Louis, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 17, 2021 · N2430X · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate visual lookout to ensure clearance from the radio tower and its guy wires. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s unnecessary use of his mobile device during the flight, which diminished his attention/monitoring…
- [NTSB WPR21LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA193.md): Cessna 172R · Chandler, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 11, 2021 · N47AF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to locate the airport which resulted in an approach to a road and subsequent collision with powerlines during a go-around in low light conditions.
- [NTSB ERA21FA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA184.md): Cessna A188 · Pineview, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 13, 2021 · N4912Q · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in collision with powerlines during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB GAA21WA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA062.md): Cessna 182 · Colon and El Marques, Queretaro, Mexico · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Apr 1, 2021 · C-GBQA · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ERA21FA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA165.md): Aviat A-1 · Cave Spring, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 29, 2021 · N800MH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from a power line.
- [NTSB ERA21FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA148.md): Beech C23 · Purcellville, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 4, 2021 · N67013 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to depart from the short turf runway with a tailwind.
- [NTSB ERA21LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA124.md): Cessna 441 · Belvidere, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 7, 2021 · N44776 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to follow the published instrument approach procedure by prematurely descending the airplane below the final approach fix altitude to fly under the low ceiling conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB GAA21WA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA016.md): Cessna 182 · Sefferweich, Germany · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Feb 5, 2021 · D-EHQT · Destroyed
- [NTSB ERA21LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA111.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Boynton Beach, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 25, 2021 · N266ND · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s controlled flight into the ocean at night due to his unrecognized spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction with the tuning of his transponder while maneuvering over an area with reduced visual references.
- [NTSB ERA21LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA102.md): Kolb Firestar · Vineland, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 11, 2021 · UNREG · Substantial damage
  > A steep descent and impact with terrain during final approach for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB ERA21LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA085.md): Cessna 210L · Midway, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 21, 2020 · N2246S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's intentional visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pressure to complete the flight to work in an emergency room.
- [NTSB CEN21LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA060.md): Piper PA22 · Salem, IN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 12, 2020 · N3535A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to avoid an obstacle during his approach to land.
- [NTSB ERA21LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA035.md): Grumman GA7 · Ellicott, NY · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 1, 2020 · N791GA · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s continued descent below the minimum descent altitude while conducting an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA330.md): Cessna 172 · Stanley, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 13, 2020 · N52700 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance after flying into the wrong canyon in mountainous terrain which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20CA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA299.md): Cessna 182 · Coeur d'Alene, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Sep 7, 2020 · N8885X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a collision with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20LA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA295.md): Beech 35 · Three Rivers, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 4, 2020 · N818S · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while operating in conditions of reduced visibility due to smoke.
- [NTSB GAA20WA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20WA133.md): Commander 114 · Fur airport, Denmark · Accident · 4 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 30, 2020 · D-EQCA · Destroyed
  > The government of Denmark has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a COMMANDER 114 airplane that occurred on August 30, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Denmark's investigation under the…
- [NTSB CEN20LA367](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA367.md): Cirrus SR22 · Lawrenceville, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 29, 2020 · N607SR · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain as a result of his failure to properly execute an instrument approach and maintain clearance from trees in night instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s unfamiliarity with a…
- [NTSB ERA20CA298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA298.md): Vans RV6 · Milton, DE · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 27, 2020 · N628JB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot and owner’s failure to adequately communicate and establish an understanding of who was flying the airplane, and their failure to take timely action to avoid a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20CA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA261.md): Aviat A1 · Kernville, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 8, 2020 · N327MN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during a go-around, which resulted in an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20WA376](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20WA376.md): Canadair CL215 1A10 · Lobios (Ourense), Portugal · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 8, 2020 · EC-HET · Substantial damage
  > The Comision de Investigacion de Accidentes y Incidentes de Aviacion Civil (CIAIAC) of Spain has notified the NTSB of an incident involving a Canadair CL-215-1A10 airplane, which occurred on August 8, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S Accredited…
- [NTSB GAA20WA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20WA126.md): Cessna 172 · Blatten - VS, Switzerland · Accident · 4 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jul 25, 2020 · HB-TLF · Destroyed
  > The government of Switzerland has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a CESSNA 172 airplane that occurred on July 25, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Switzerland's investigation under the…
- [NTSB ANC20CA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA070.md): Bell 206L-1 · Homer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 16, 2020 · N1432D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid the boat's mast, which resulted in a main rotor blade strike. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning by not having the boat's mast measured.
- [NTSB CEN20CA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA275.md): Condor Condor · Freedom, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 5, 2020 · N3502X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to initiate a climb in a timely manner which resulted in contact with wires.
- [NTSB GAA20WA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20WA113.md): Robinson R22 · Strzegom city, Poland · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jun 30, 2020 · SP-HBOG · Destroyed
  > The government of Poland has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a ROBINSON R22 helicopter that occurred on June 30, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Poland's investigation under the provisions…
- [NTSB GAA20WA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20WA112.md): Piper PA25 · Vereda Brisas de Guaiquitia, Colombia · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jun 22, 2020 · HK-1042 · Destroyed
- [NTSB CEN20CA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA240.md): Schweizer 269C · Sheffield, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 21, 2020 · N298TH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a fence while hovering.
- [NTSB WPR20LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA177.md): Zenair CH601 · Maricopa, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 10, 2020 · N6402X · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of situational awareness and descent below pattern altitude during the landing approach, which resulted in collision with terrain at night.
- [NTSB ERA20LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA188.md): Vaughn Challenger · Clarksville, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 16, 2020 · N97KV · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to carburetor ice.
- [NTSB ANC20LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA046.md): Cessna A185 · Nuiqsut, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 15, 2020 · N5454E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s controlled flight into flat snow-covered terrain in weather conditions that were conducive to flat light conditions.
- [NTSB ERA20LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA150.md): Arion Lightning LS-1 · Mount Pleasant, SC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 10, 2020 · N81DJ · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees at the end of the runway due to spatial disorientation during initial climb in dark night conditions. Also causal was the flight instructor’s inadequate monitoring, which did not identify and prevent the…
- [NTSB ANC20CA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA041.md): Piper PA 18A · Chickaloon, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 7, 2020 · N2791P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which necessitated a go-around, and her subsequent failure to maintain clearance from rising mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA136.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Audubon, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 31, 2020 · N107EH · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to recognize and avoid the power line during the low-altitude flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue, which affected the pilot’s ability to see and avoid the power line.
- [NTSB CEN20WA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20WA135.md): Piper PA25 · Tepalcatepec, Michoacán, Mexico · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Mar 15, 2020 · XB-VOO · Destroyed
  > The government of Mexico has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a PIPER PA25 airplane that occurred on March 15, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Mexico's investigation under the provisions of…
- [NTSB ANC20CA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA023.md): Robinson R44 · Talkeetna, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Feb 21, 2020 · N716JL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from snow covered terrain during an en route descent in flat light conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/cases.md?page=5

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '120')
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/cases?page=4

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